Category Archives: Index

Elders: The Care and Feeding of Elders in a Progressive Congregation: Duties to the Whole Flock

* The flock Elders are shepherds, and shepherds care passionately about the flock — all the flock. Ministers are often placed over one or two programs. Sometimes they let their passion for their ministry overwhelm their passion for their flock. … Continue reading

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Church: “We’re all congregationalists now” — Stanley Hauerwas

In a recent interview published in Christianity Today, Stanley Hauerwas discussed his recently published autobiography. Hauerwas is a scholar who helped found the neo-Anabaptist school of thought with John Howard Yoder. He is a Methodist who taught at Catholic Notre … Continue reading

Posted in Congregational Autonomy and Mergers, Uncategorized | 27 Comments

Elders: The Care and Feeding of Elders in a Progressive Congregation: Five Dysfunctions of a Team

* Pat Lencioni is the expert It’s my opinion that every eldership and every group of ministers should study these two books together: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable and Silos, Politics and Turf Wars: A Leadership … Continue reading

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Lies About Christians: Are We Really Losing Our Young People?

We are continuing a series considering the excellent Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites…and Other Lies You’ve Been Told: A Sociologist Shatters Myths From the Secular and Christian Media, by Bradley R. E. Wright. Chapter 3 asks whether we’re really losing our … Continue reading

Posted in Lies About Christians, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Elders: The Care and Feeding of Elders in a Progressive Congregation: Retreat

* Retreat I imagine it’s pretty common for elders and staff to occasionally take a weekend off together, to sort through church issues and build relationships. It’s a good idea. Here are some keys to making it work — — … Continue reading

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Lies About Christians: Is American Christianity on the Brink of Extinction?

We are continuing a series considering the excellent Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites…and Other Lies You’ve Been Told: A Sociologist Shatters Myths From the Secular and Christian Media, by Bradley R. E. Wright. In chapter 2, Wright considers the much ballyhooed … Continue reading

Posted in Lies About Christians, Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Elders: The Care and Feeding of Elders in a Progressive Congregation: Unresolved Anger with Parents and Former Employers

* Don’t invite former employers and parents into the room Sometimes a minister carries around gaping wounds from previous elderships. He feels betrayed or abused, and so he has trouble imagining that the new eldership will be any better. Whatever … Continue reading

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Lies About Christians: Why So Much Bad News?

One of the most enjoyable books I’ve read lately is Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites…and Other Lies You’ve Been Told: A Sociologist Shatters Myths From the Secular and Christian Media, by Bradley R. E. Wright. Wright is a sociologist — and … Continue reading

Posted in Lies About Christians, Uncategorized | 32 Comments

Elders: The Care and Feeding of Elders in a Progressive Congregation: Honesty; Seminars

* It’s fine for ministers to collaborate with each other, but not against the elders. No block voting. Ever. A minister feels oh-so strongly that the parking lot needs to be restriped. He’s afraid the elders will say no. And … Continue reading

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The Millennium, Part 4

Verse 5 (Rev 20:5 ESV) The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. This is a highly controverted passage. The text implies that the faithful were resurrected … Continue reading

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